Polson, Belgrade split in softball season opener

BELGRADE - Polson softball coach Larry Smith learned a few things about the 2011 edition of the Pirates on Saturday.

The Class A defending state champions dropped the first game to Belgrade 9-2 in Saturday's state championship softball rematch but bounced back to claim the nightcap 8-5.

Lightning delayed the start about 30 minutes and the first game was played through a light rain. Gusty winds marked the second game.

Smith wasn't very happy after the first game - the Pirates gave up five runs in the first four innings, sophomore pitcher Shalaina Duford endured a rough start and the Pirate defense struggled with four errors.

"We were making errors we don't usually make," Smith said.

"This was two very, very good teams and they kind of kicked our behinds. But I was very pleased with the way we came back in the second game," the coach said.

"I was very pleased with the way they responded. (Belgrade) had three different pitchers and we still hit them. We hit all three of them very well," he said.

Duford bounced back in that second game as well, scattering 10 hits, two walks and a strikeout. She also batted 3-for-4 in that game.

"Hitting wise, Kylie Knutson had a super weekend, along with Kodi Woods," the coach said.

Knutson was 2-for-3 in the first game and 2-for-4 in the second while Woods was 3-for-4 and 1-for-5.

"They both hit very well. It's nice to see those seniors lead the way," Smith said.

The Pirates (1-1) are off now until next Friday when they make the trip north to take on Whitefish in a Northwestern A contest.

Belgrade 9, Polson 2

Polson 000 000 2 - 2 7 4

Belgrade 110 331 0 - 9 11 0

Shalaina Duford, Jessica Bagnell (6) and Kayla Duford. Justine Taylor and Melissa Bell. W - Taylor (1-0). L - S. Duford (0-1).

POLSON (0-1) - Kodi Woods 3-4, Kayla Duford 0-3, Shalaina Duford 0-2, Jessica Bagnell 0-1, Heidi Rausch 1-3 (2B), Sallie Sams 1-3, Ashley Johnson 1-3, Martina Marquardt 0-2, Makaliah Wilson 0-2, Kylie Knutson 2-3.

BELGRADE (1-0) - Taylor 1-3, Tara Lanzendorf 1-4, Melissa Bell 0-2, Ali Dorvall 2-4 (2B), Nikki DeHaan 1-4, Morgan Wandler 2-3, Taylor Johnson 1-4 (2B), Alison Alstrom 1-4, Joey Severson 2-3.

Polson 8, Belgrade 5

Polson 050 200 1 - 8 16 1

Belgrade 100 400 0 - 5 10 1

S. Duford and K. Duford. Joey Severson, Kristina West (4), Taylor (7) and Bell. W - S. Duford (1-1). L - Severson (0-1).

POLSON (1-1) - Kodi Woods 1-5, Ashley Johnson 1-3, Heidi Rausch 2-4, S. Duford 3-4, Kylie Knutson 2-4, K. Duford 2-4, Makaliah Wilson 2-4, Sallie Sams 3-3, Martina Marquardt 1-4.

BELGRADE (1-1) - Taylor 2-4 (HR), Tara Lanzendorf 0-4, Bell 3-4, Ali Dorvall 2-3, Nikki DeHaan 1-4, Morgan Wandler 0-3, Taylor Johnson 1-2, Alison Alstrom 0-1, West 0-2, Severson 1-3.